Perhaps the seals knew something we didn’t. Robben Island. It got its name from the Dutch word for seals. The Dutch called it Robbeneiland or Seal Island.
Now gaze upon Robben Island. It sits in Table Bay. It is about 7 kilometers or 4.3 miles west of Bloubergstrand.
Robben Island is more than just land. It is a symbol of resilience. It stands as a stark reminder of injustice. But it also shows the triumph of the human spirit.
The island is oval. It is about 3.3 kilometers long from north to south. It is about 1.9 kilometers wide. The total area covers 5.08 square kilometers. The island is flat. It barely rises above sea level.
For many years, Robben Island served as a refueling station. Portuguese navigators used it first. Later, the English and Dutch stopped here.
But from the late 17th century until 1996, Robben Island became a prison. Political prisoners were often held here. Nelson Mandela was one of them.
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here for 18 of his 27 years. This was before the end of apartheid. Later, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1994, he became South Africa’s first black president. He served one term.
Two other former prisoners became president. They are Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma.
Robben Island is now a South African National Heritage Site. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1654, Dutch settlers put ewes and rams on Robben Island. They built a shed and shelter. The island offered better protection from wild animals. Settlers also collected seal skins. They boiled oil to supply the settlement.
The Dutch used Robben Island to imprison people. The first prisoner was probably Autshumato. Political leaders from Dutch colonies were also imprisoned here.
In 1806, John Murray opened a whaling station. It was on the northeastern shore. It became known as Murray’s Bay.
In 1819, African leader Makanda Nxele was sentenced to life imprisonment. He tried to escape. He drowned.
The island also housed a leper colony. Lepers were moved here in 1845. This was because Hemel-en-Aarde was unsuitable. In 1892, admission became mandatory. People thought isolation was the only way to stop the disease.
During World War II, the island was fortified. Guns were installed to defend Cape Town.
In 1969, the Moturu Kramat was built. It honors Sayed Abdurahman Moturu. He was exiled to the island in the 1740s. He died there in 1754.
The maximum security prison closed in 1991. The medium security prison closed five years later.
Today, Robben Island is a popular tourist destination. The Robben Island Museum manages it. Many tour guides are former prisoners.
Tours depart from Cape Town’s waterfront. They include a ferry trip and a tour of historical sites. You can see the graveyard and the lime quarry. You can also see Robert Sobukwe’s house. The tour includes the maximum security prison. Nelson Mandela’s cell is also shown.
Take care navigating near Robben Island. Many ships have been wrecked here. The waters are dangerous.
In 1865, the Robben Island lighthouse was completed. It warns ships. The light shines for 5 seconds every 7 seconds. It can be seen from 44 kilometers away.
When the Dutch arrived, the island only had seals and birds. In 1654, settlers released rabbits.
The original penguin colony disappeared by 1800. But a new colony was established in 1983.
Remember Robben Island. It is a place of pain but also a symbol of hope.